An efficient protocol has been developed for the induction, maturation and germination of somatic embryos from nodal segments of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. Somatic embryos were induced on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) basal medium containing 1.0 mg l-1 benzyladenine (BA) + 1.0 mg l-1 kinetin (Kn). The explants with primary embryogenic callus was subsequently transferred onto MS + B5 vitamins Gamborg’s et al. (1968) liquid and semi-solid medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 - naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 1.5 mg l-1 BA resulted in highest number of somatic embryos. The development of somatic embryos took place in the same medium. The well-formed embryos germinated on B5 medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 abscisic acid (ABA) + 1.0 mg l-1 BA. Further development into healthy plantlets was obtained on basal B5 medium. Hardened plantlets produced normal plants upon transfer to soil. A distinct feature of this study is the somatic embryogenesis in nodal cultures seems to be first report on this plant.
